Between 2010 and 2026, the population of Namangan grew by 65% to 728,000 people, while population density reached 8,289 people per square kilometer. The city now leads the country in both metrics.

Over the same 16-year period, Uzbekistan's total population increased from 28.0 million to 38.2 million, but urban growth varied widely: some cities expanded by over 60%, others by just 12%, and density ranges from 1,058 to 8,289 people per km².

Since 2010, Namangan grew 65%, Termez 64%, Samarkand 52%, Kokand 44%, Fergana 43%, and Tashkent 42% — all six outpacing the national average of 37%.

Data as of January 1, 2026, from the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics.

Below-average growth was seen in Andijan (35%), Karshi, Margilan and Nukus (29% each), while Bukhara (14%) and Angren (12%) lagged furthest.

Namangan leads among cities that existed in 2010. Cities granted urban status later (e.g., Shakhrisabz, Khiva, Yangiyul) are excluded from comparison, as their 'growth' reflects status change rather than population inflow.

Part of the growth in some cities stems from administrative boundary expansions. Namangan saw major expansions: in 2016, parts of neighboring districts with about 96,000 people were incorporated, and in 2020, the Davlatabad district with about 140,000 people was formed within the city. Thus, Namangan's 65% growth largely reflects boundary enlargement rather than natural increase.

The two densest cities are in the Fergana Valley: Namangan (8,289 people/km²) and Andijan (7,683 people/km²), followed by Tashkent (7,312 people/km²). The most spacious are former industrial towns: Angren (1,171 people/km²) and Almalyk (1,058 people/km²).

Density depends not only on population but also on city area. Compact centers yield high density, while spacious planning results in lower density even with similar populations.

The slowest-growing cities were Angren, Almalyk, and Bukhara. No correlation between density and growth rate was observed. Fast-growing cities include both dense (Namangan) and spacious (Termez) examples, with nearly identical growth of 65% and 64%.

Growth is calculated as the change from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2026. City boundaries changed during the period, so part of the growth is administrative. Data for 2025–2026 are preliminary and may be revised after the upcoming census.

Source: kun.uz